Apparatus for stamping letters and other postal matter.



' A. GERSTENKORN APPARATUS FOR STAMPING LETTERS AND OTHER PosTAL- MATTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 11, 1908.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910.-

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wzmsw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPI-I GERSTENKORN, OF MOORFLETH, NEAR HAMBURG, GERMANY.

APPARATUS FOR STAMPING LETTERS AND OTHER POSTAL MATTER.

erably applied to letter boxes and which is to be used for post paying letters postcards etc. by a direct impression of a stamp, thus obviating the necessity of purchasing a separate stamp to be applied by moistening the adhesive rear surface thereof.

Special objects of the invention are to simplify and cheapen the construction and to render more efiicient serviceable and durable in operation devices of the kind re ferred to.

Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combination, arrangement and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter explained, shown in the accompanying drawings and then specifically set out in the appended claim.

In the drawings is shown, by way of example, one mode of carrying into practice the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus with its constituent arts in the position of rest. Fig. 2 is a longltudinal section through the apparatus with its constituent parts in working position. Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1.

The stamp 8 shows on its under surface the letters, signs and numerals for producing the desired or required impression,which letters, signs and numerals may be adjustable or interchangeable in a manner well known in connection with stamps of this kind. The stamp 8 is attached in any convenient manner to a vertical arm 9, which starts from an upward bend 12 of a slide rod 6, the latter serving for actuating the stamp, as will be described in detail later on. A crank or radius arm 10 pivoted at 13 to the bent portion 12 of the rod 6 and having its fulcrum or pivot suitably arranged in the box, which houses the entire stamping device, directs the stamp on a curvilinear course during the to and fro motion of the rod 6. The stamp normally rests on the inking pad 26 and is raised therefrom 011 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 11, 1908.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

Serial No. 467,011.

moving the rod 6. At the forward termination of the curvilinear movement, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the stamp 8 causes an impression to be made on the letter, post card or other postal matter, it having been stated in the preamble to this specification, that the invention is preferably applied for post paying letters, postcards and other postal matter by a direct impression of a stamp, thus obviating the necessity of going to the post office in person in order to purchase a stamp or stamps. The impression produced by the stamp 8 is indicative of the receipt of the postal fee. A slot 11 in the box housing the stamping apparatus serves for pushing the letter or other postal matter to be post paid, upon a pad for the proper action of the stamp 8.

The stamping device hereinbefore described is combined with a coin controlled apparatus, a description of which is hereafter given, to render intelligible the scope and operation of the invention.

In a box like receptacle, which may be integral with, or attached to a letter box in any convenient manner and position and which is provided with a slot easily accessible for the insertion of the coins, but which is not shown, is arranged a coin chute 1, leading to a slot 2. The coin is received in this slot 2 standing on edge on the base plate 3 and effects the coupling between the pull rod 5, fitted with a handle or finger ring 4;, and the bar 6 for actuating the stamping device, previously referred to.

The bar 6 is attached by a joint pin 17 to a slide 18. This slide 18 is rectilineally guided above the base plate 3 by means of the pins 19engaging a slot 20 in the wall 21 of the casing. The pull rod 5 penetrates through a hole in a lateral extension 21 at the front end of the slide 18 in alinement with the latter and carries at its extremity a block 23, fixed by means of the screw 22. The space between this block 23 and the lateral extension 21 forms the coin receiving slot 2 and enables the coupling of the pull rod 5 and the slide bar 6 to be effected by the coin. On pulling the rod 5 by the finger ring 4 without previously inserting a coin suitable for actuating the stamping apparatus, the block 23 moves up to the extension 21, thus closing up the coin receiving slot 2. Continued pulling then causes both rods 5 and 6 to move outward without ofi'ering the possibility of effectively actuating the stamping mechanism, the stroke of the stamp, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, having been reduced, so as to prevent it reaching the letter or other postal matter to be stamped.

On inserting the proper coin, which may be made to pass a coin tester of suitable construction (but which is not shown), the coupling between the pull rod 5' and the slide bar 6, effected by the coin standing in the slot 2, is maintained as long as the coin is supported on the base plate 3. An abutment 29 of the pull rod 5 terminates the outward movement of the latter when the coin has reached an aperture in the base plate 3 and has therefore been deprived of its support, so that the coin can drop down through the aperture into a suitable receptacle. A spring 7 returns the rod 5 to its normal position. By virtue of the block 23 bearing against the slide 18, the latter, and the rod 6 Y in pivotal connection therewith, follow the return movement of the rod 5.

In order to prevent fraudulent use of the apparatus by retaining the coin in the slot 2, which might be effected by a sudden pull and push at the moment the stamping action takes place, a knocking roller 14 for forcing thecoin out of the slot 2 is mounted on a lever 16. A spring 15 constantly tends to force this lever 16 and consequently the knocking roller 14 downward. On the outward movement of the pull rod 5 a wedge or cam 24 at the front end of the slide 18, raises the knocking roller 14 and afterward liberates it at the moment the abutment 29 .locks the rod 5 against further outward movement. The roller 14 thus released is jerked downward under the force of the spring 15, and

forcibly knocks the coin out of the slot 2 and through the aperture in the base plate 3, thus rendering perfectly futile any attempt at fraudulent use of the apparatus.

Should the postal fee amount to a sum requiring the repeated actuation of the coin freed apparatus to obtain a plurality of stamp impressions to cover that sum, it is immaterial for the proper action if several coins are inserted simultaneously, every chance of the coins prematurely inserted,

interfering with the proper action of the apparatus being removed by a tail piece 25 on the slide 18 retaining the superfluous coins inside the chute 1 until their time for action arrives. One by one these coins drop into the slot 2 and perform their duty.

Auxiliary springs 27, 28 serve to assist the springs 15 and 7 and to retain the perpetual utility of the apparatus should one or the other of the springs be worn or broken.

lVhile I have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise form shown, for many of the details may be changed in form or position without afiecting the operativeness or utility of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as are included within the scope of the following claim, or of mechanical equivalents to the structure set forth.

lVhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A stamping apparatus of the nature set forth comprising in a box or casing a pull rod 5, a spring-influenced slide 6 pivotally connected to said pull rod, a vertical arm 9 starting from an upward bend 12 of the aforesaid slide 6, a stamp 8 attached at the lower end of said vertical arm 9, a crank or radius arm 10 pivoted to the bent portion 12 of the slide 6 and having its fulcrum or pivot suitably arranged in the box housing the stamping apparatus, an inking pad 26 at one terminal position of the stamp S, a slot 11 in the box housing the stamping apparatus at the second terminal position of the stamp 8, a pad in line with the said slot 11 inside the box, and a mechanism for actuating the spring-influenced slide 6 and with it the stamp 8, substantially as described and shown.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 28th day of November 1908, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADOLPH GERSTENKORN.

Witnesses:

OTTO W. HELLMRIOI-I, IDA CHRIST. HUFERMANN. 

